American Record Guide

While her straightforward approach is better in the Prelude and Fugue collection (DDA 25139), this recording might be useful to students learning these works. While I find the lack of excitement disappointing, students learning Scriabin’s Piano Sonata 10, for instance, will find the clarity of her playing welcome. Andreeva illuminates voices and complex themes through careful pedalling and an aca¬demic approach.

The second movement of the Beethoven is missing charm. It sounds too stiff and auto¬matic, missing the expansive nature of the piece. Compared to the many excellent recordings of Prokofieff’s Sonatas I have heard, her rendering is quite slow.